Toy track construction

ABSTRACT

This disclosure is directed to a toy track construction and method of making the same comprising a base member to which a plurality of tie members are connected. A length of rail supported on these tie members is held in place by a plurality of rail clips spaced along the rail length so as to secure it to the base member in the spacing defined between adjacent pairs of tie members. The arrangement is such that the rail length is maintained in positive compressive relationship against the tie members. Means are also provided whereby the spacing or gauging of the tie members can be positively set and maintained during construction of the trackage.

United States Patent Primary ExaminerArthur L. La Point Assistant Examiner-Richard A. Bertsch Attorney-Arthur T. Fattibene ABSTRACT: This disclosure is directed to a toy track construction and method of making the same comprising a base member to which a plurality of tie members are connected. A length of rail supported on these tie members is held in place by a plurality of rail clips spaced along the rail length so as to secure it to the base member in the spacing defined between adjacent pairs of tie members. The arrangement is such that the rail length is maintained in positive compressive relationship against the tie members. Means are also provided whereby the spacing or gauging of the tie members can be positively set and maintained during construction of the trackage.

PATENTED SEFI 4 |sm SHEET 1 OF 2 FIG FIG-3' INVENTOR.

M A R A N D D0 NALD BY M ATTORNEY TOY TRACK CONSTRUCTION PROBLEM AND PRIOR ART Heretofore considerable difficulty has been encountered in the constructions of model railroad trackage. Some of the difficulties encountered are due to the relatively small or miniature nature of the component parts making up a track assemblage. Also the known devices or trackage were constructed so that the rail lengths were not suitably supported on the respective tie members. Difficulty has also been encountered in establishing and maintaining the spacing of the tie members. To eliminate the spacing difficulty relatively complicated gauging means were heretofore utilized, e.g., of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,243,180, to set the spacing.

OBJECTS It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a toy track assemblage in which the track or rail lengths are supported on a suitable base member in a manner wherein the rail or track length is maintained in positive compressive relationship to the supporting tie members.

Another object is to provide an improved rail clip for supporting the respective lengths of track on their supporting tie members in a manner which allows for the necessary expansion and contraction of the track or rail.

Another object is to provide a novel tie holder and spacer for positively setting and maintaining the gauging or spacing between tie members during trackage assembly.

Another object is to provide an improved method of constructing model toy trackage.

Another object is to provide a method of making trackage that is relatively simple and inexpensive and positive in operation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing objects, features and other advantages are attained by a trackage assemblage in which the respective track lengths are secured to a suitable base by means of a rail clip constructed to positively compress the rail lengths onto the tie members. This is attained by a fastener defined as an inverted U-shaped clip member having laterally extending flange portions by which it is suitably fixed in place on a supporting base. The respective rail clips are disposed between adjacent pairs of rails. The web portion of the clip is provided with opposed tabs for slidably engaging the lower flange of a track or rail. The dimension or height of the rail clip is such that the base of the rail is positively held in compression with the underlying tie members.

A means is also provided to insure the accurate spacing of the tie members during track assemblage. The means comprises a tie holder and spacer which includes a base member having a series of traversely extending grooves adapted to frictionally receive a tie member therein. Preferably the base member is formed of a flexible and resilient material. The grooves are formed with a depth slightly less than the height of the tie member, and a width slightly less than that of the tie member so that the base member can readily be released from the tie member when the latter is secured to a supporting base.

FEATURES A feature of this invention resides in the provision of a rail clip construction which is relatively simple in construction and which will operate to maintain the rail in compressive bearing relationship to underlying tie members.

Another feature resides in the provision of rail clips wherein the length of rail is free to expand or contract relative to the holding clips.

Another feature resides in a relatively inexpensive tie holder and gauging means for readily establishing and/or maintaining the spacing between adjacent tie members.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent when considered in view of the specification and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a length of track illustrating the improved clip construction for maintaining the rail length in position.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of a segmental portion of the trackage.

FIG. 3 is an end view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of the rail clip, per se.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a tie holder and spacer device.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the tie holder and spacer device taken along line 6-6 on FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view showing the manner in which the device is releasably secured from the tie members.

FIG. 8 is a modified embodiment of a tie holder and spacer.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 99 on FIG. 8.

Referring to the drawings there is shown in FIG. 1 a model railroad track section 10 embodying the present invention. The trackage assembly 10 includes a suitable supporting base or board 11 which may be formed of any suitable material, e.g., wood, hardboard, metal or the like, of sufficient size to support a desired track layout. A plurality of crosstie members 12 are suitably secured to the layout board or base; and successive lengths of track or rail members 13 are held in place on the crosstie members. The respective rail lengths 13 have a substantially I-beam cross section as best seen in FIG. 3, with the lower flange portion 13A resting on the tie members 12.

In accordance with this invention the respective rail lengths 13 are secured in position on the tie members 12 by a rail clip 14. As seen in FIG. I a plurality of rail clips 14 are spaced along the rail lengths I3 and are secured to the base 10 in the spaces defined between adjacent pairs of tie members 12.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, each rail clip 14 is similarly constructed and comprises an inverted U-shaped portion 15 having opposed leg portions 15A and an interconnecting web portion 158. Connected to the free end of the opposed leg portions 15A is an outwardly and laterally extending flange 16 by which the rail clip 14 is supported on the base member 11. An aperture 17 is formed in each lateral flange portion 16 for receiving a fastener 17A, e.g., a nail or screw by which the clip 14 is secured to the base member 11.

The web portion 15B of the rail clip 14 has connected thereto a pair of opposed tabs 18-18 having inwardly extending fingers 18A to define a slot 19 for accommodating the lower flange 13A of the rail length 13. In the illustrated embodiment the tabs I818 are formed by blanking the same out ofa portion of the web 15A. As shown, each tab 18- 18 is defined by a vertical portion 18B and a connected horizontal portion 18A which extend toward one another.

The arrangement of the rail clip 14 is such that the bottom flange 13A of the rail 13 can be slidably received within the slot 19 defined by the opposed tab, as best seen in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 3, the height H of the web portion 158 of the rail clip 14 above the base 11 is slightly less than the thickness T of the crosstie I2. Preferably the difference between T and H equals approximately 0.005 inches. Consequently in the track assemblage 10 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, it will be apparent that the rail clips 14 will hold the rail 13 in compressing relationship on the supporting crosstie members 12.

To set the spacing between the respective crosstie members 12 in the construction of the track assemblage 10 of FIG. I, a tie holder and spacer device 25 is provided. As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 the tie holder and spacer device 25 comprises a base member 26 of predetermined length, as for example, the equivalent of one rail length, which has formed therein a plurality of traversely extending grooves 27. The tie holder and spacer device 25 is formed of a readily flexible and/or resilient member and may be formed, e.g., of a suitable flexible plastic and/or rubber or the like. In the illustrated form of the invention it is preferred that the tie holder and spacer 25 be formed of a material which is also incompatible to the adhesive, which may be utilized to fixedly secure the respective cross tie members 12 to the supporting base 11 as will be herein described.

The width w of the respective grooves 27 is formed so as to be slightly less than the width W of the crosstie member 12 adapted to be received therein. Accordingly, due to the inherent resiliency of the material from which the tie holder is made, it will be apparent that the respective tie members 12 can be readily frictionally secured within the grooves 27 adapted to receive the same. Also referring to FIG. 6 it is to be noted that the height or depth D of the grooves 27 is less than the thickness T of the tie member 12 adapted to be retained therein. Consequently the respective tie members 12 extend slightly above the surface 28 of the tie holder. Because the grooves 27 are predeterminately spaced along the length of the tie holder 25, the ties 12 adapted to be retained therein can be readily located in predetermined space relationship and readily fabricated to the supporting base member in a manner whereby the predetermined space relationship therebetween can be maintained.

This is attained by coating the surface 11A of the supporting base member 11 with a coating of a suitable adhesive. The tie holder and spacer device 25, fitted with the respective crosstie members 12 in each of the respective grooves 27 is then inverted and disposed in overlying relationship to the adhesivecoated portion of the supporting base member. The tie portions projecting beyond the ends of the grooves or the surface 28 of the tie holder 25 are thus disposed into contacting relationship with the adhesive-coated portion of the supporting base member 11. Referring to FIG, 7 it will be noted that the greater thickness T of the tie members 12 maintains the grooved surface 28 of the tie holder 25 spaced slightly above the adhesive-coated surface of the supporting base member 1 I. By applying pressure to the back side 29 of the tie holder device 25 the respective tie members 12 may be urged into contact with the adhesive coating, whereupon the setting of the coating will cause the tie members 12 to be fixedly secured to the supporting base 11. When the coating has sufficiently set, the tie holder and spacer 25 can be readily peeled or separated from the respective tie members 12 by applying a lifting force to one end thereof, and progressively peeling the holder 25 away from the tie members 12 as seen in FIG. 7. In this manner the respective tie members 12 can be readily separated from the tie holder 25, and the respective tie members 12 are uniformly spaced in a predetermined manner onto a particular supporting base member 11.

With the crosstie 12 in position on the base member and fixed thereto as seen in FIG. 7, the rail members or lengths 13 are then supported on the crosstie members by utilizing the rail clips 14 hereinbefore described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 the rail clips 14 are positioned between the spacing of adjacent tie members 12 so as to positively secure the respective rail sections 13 into compressing relationship onto the supporting tie members 12.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the tie holding and spacing device 25 constitutes a relatively simple and inexpensive means by which a plurality of ties 12 may be uniformly spaced in a predetermined manner and laid onto a supporting surface in sections of predetermined length. If desired, pebbles and/or stones, dirt or other simulating terrain features may be also adhesively secured to the supporting base member 11 in the adhesive coating 31. With the tie members 12 thus firmly secured to the supporting base 11 and with the rail lengths 13 fitted with a plurality of rail clips 14, which can be readily slidably displaced therealong, the clips can be located along the rail length 13 so as to be positioned between the adjacent pairs of tie members 12, as shown in FIG. 1. The clips are readily secured to the supporting base member 11 by driving a nail or a screw 17A through the aperture 17 in the flange 16.

It will also be noted that by forming the tie holder 25 of a flexible and/or resilient material that the same can be laterally bent to form a curved track. As herein described, the trackage assembly can thus be quickly and easily made, with the rail lengths 13 being positively secured to the supporting base 11 in a manner which provides the necessary linear expansion and contraction of the track relative to the respective tie members and associated rail clips.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a modified tie holder and spacer 40. The tie holder and spacer 40 is similar to that described with respect to FIGS. 5 and 7 with the exception that the body 41 of a predetermined length is provided with a longitudinally extending recess or hollowed out portion 42 on the side containing the transversely extending grooves 27'. Accordingly as seen in FIGS. 8 and 9 the grooves 27 are formed in the opposed longitudinally extending wall portions 42A which define the recess 42. Preferably depth D of the recess is substantially equal to or greater than the depth of the grooves 27'. The purpose of the recess 42 is to provide a minimum of surface contact for the tie holder 40 when the same is used to apply the associated ties to a supporting base 1 1. With the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9 it will be noted that any excess adhesive on the base 11 will tend to flow around the ties and accumulate in the recess portion 42. Consequently the only area on the tie holder which may come in contact with adhesive, when applied to the base 11, is the top surface 428 of the wall portion 42A. With this construction the area of contact of member 40 with an adhesive-coated base is reduced to a minimum. In all other respects the construction and operation of the tie holder 40 is similar to that shown and described with respect to FIGS. 5 and 7.

While the foregoing invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments thereof, variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A toy track construction comprising a supporting base,

a plurality of spaced-apart transversely extending tie members disposed on said base member,

a rail adapted to be supported on said spaced tie members, and anchoring means secured directly to said base between adjacent tie members for firmly securing said rail in position on said ties wherein said tie members are held in compression between said rail and said base,

wherein said anchoring means includes a clip defined as an inverted U-shaped member having opposed leg portions adapted to be disposed on either side of the rails secured thereby, and

an interconnecting web portion,

laterally extending flange portions connected to the free end of said leg portion adapted to support said clip on said base,

and a holding means formed on said clip,

said holding means including a pair of spaced-apart tabs adapted to receive therebetween the bottom end of said rail.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein separate and distinct anchoring means secure the respective rails of said tracks to said supporting base.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said web portion is spaced above the surface of said base a distance slightly less than the thickness of said tie member.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said tabs are blanked out of said web portion.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein each of said tabs includes a vertical leg portion and a horizontal leg portion wherein said horizontal leg portion extends above and substantially parallel to the web portion from whence blanked.

6, The invention as defined in claim 3 and means defining an aperture formed in the respective flange portions.

7. A model track fastener for securing a track to a supporting surface for maintaining the track in compression against a supporting tie member comprising a clip adapted to be operatively connected to one rail of said track and including an inverted U-shaped member having opposed leg portions adapted to be disposed on either side of the rail secured thereby and a connecting web portion,

laterally extending flanges connected to the free end of said leg portions,

means defining an aperture formed in each of said flange portions adapted to receive a fastener by which said clip is adapted to be secured to a supporting surface,

and holding means on said web portion for slidably receiving a rail,

said holding means including a pair of oppositely disposed tabs adapted to slidably engage therebetween the bottom flange of a model rail, the height of said leg portion being slightly less than the thickness of a tie member onwhich said rail is supported so that in the operative position said fastener holds said rail in compression onto a tie member.

8. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said tabs are blanked out of the plane of said web portion,

each of said tabs including a vertical leg portion and a connected horizontal leg portion,

said horizontal leg portion being spaced above said web portion and the horizontal leg portions of the respective tabs being directed toward one another.

9. A tie holder and spacer adapted for laying tie members onto a supporting base comprising a base member of flexible material having a plurality of spaced transversely extending grooves formed therein, said grooves opening to the longitudinal edges of said base member,

said grooves being adapted to frictionally secure therein a tie member,

and said grooves having a depth which is slightly less than 

1. A toy track construction comprising a supporting base, a plurality of spaced-apart transversely extending tie members disposed on said base member, a rail adapted to be supported on said spaced tie members, and anchoring means secured directly to said base between adjacent tie members for firmly securing said rail in position on said ties wherein said tie members are held in compression between said rail and said base, wherein said anchoring means includes a clip defined as an inverted U-shaped member having opposed leg portions adapted to be disposed on either side of the rails secured thereby, and an interconnecting web portion, laterally extending flange portions connected to tHe free end of said leg portion adapted to support said clip on said base, and a holding means formed on said clip, said holding means including a pair of spaced-apart tabs adapted to receive therebetween the bottom end of said rail.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein separate and distinct anchoring means secure the respective rails of said tracks to said supporting base.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said web portion is spaced above the surface of said base a distance slightly less than the thickness of said tie member.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said tabs are blanked out of said web portion.
 5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein each of said tabs includes a vertical leg portion and a horizontal leg portion wherein said horizontal leg portion extends above and substantially parallel to the web portion from whence blanked.
 6. The invention as defined in claim 3 and means defining an aperture formed in the respective flange portions.
 7. A model track fastener for securing a track to a supporting surface for maintaining the track in compression against a supporting tie member comprising a clip adapted to be operatively connected to one rail of said track and including an inverted U-shaped member having opposed leg portions adapted to be disposed on either side of the rail secured thereby and a connecting web portion, laterally extending flanges connected to the free end of said leg portions, means defining an aperture formed in each of said flange portions adapted to receive a fastener by which said clip is adapted to be secured to a supporting surface, and holding means on said web portion for slidably receiving a rail, said holding means including a pair of oppositely disposed tabs adapted to slidably engage therebetween the bottom flange of a model rail, the height of said leg portion being slightly less than the thickness of a tie member on which said rail is supported so that in the operative position said fastener holds said rail in compression onto a tie member.
 8. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said tabs are blanked out of the plane of said web portion, each of said tabs including a vertical leg portion and a connected horizontal leg portion, said horizontal leg portion being spaced above said web portion and the horizontal leg portions of the respective tabs being directed toward one another.
 9. A tie holder and spacer adapted for laying tie members onto a supporting base comprising a base member of flexible material having a plurality of spaced transversely extending grooves formed therein, said grooves opening to the longitudinal edges of said base member, said grooves being adapted to frictionally secure therein a tie member, and said grooves having a depth which is slightly less than the thickness of the tie member adapted to be received therein so that the end of said tie member extends beyond the surface of said base member and the width of said groove is slightly less than the width of a tie member adapted to be received therein, wherein said base member includes a longitudinally extending raised marginal wall portion to define a recessed center portion, and said grooves being formed in said marginal wall portion. 